What Do Veterans and Cybersecurity Have in Common?

Happy Veterans Day, America! Today is a celebration to honor veterans for their love of our country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. So what do these brave veterans do after they leave the military? Many find a career in IT. According to CNN, careers in cybersecurity are one of the top five highest paying jobs for veterans. Keep reading to find out how their service to our country has helped develop the technical world we live in, and helped them build a solid skillset for a great career! And if you’re a cybersecurity expert, see how you can help the military!

It’s no coincidence that many veterans turn to the world of cybersecurity during and after active duty. Cybersecurity experts – military or civilian – are known for qualities like loyalty, dedication, and integrity. These individuals are highly skilled and disciplined professionals who are dedicated to protecting their companies. Not only are both of these groups great examples of patriotism, but they also perform many critical missions. Both must be able to assess and defuse high-risk situations accurately and in a timely manner.

There are several paths to becoming a cybersecurity professional, including military training and/or a bachelor’s degree program. Many schools and online programs across the nation offer degrees in IT, cybersecurity, and other related fields. Many of these schools and online programs are military-friendly and can accommodate duty assignments.

For cybersecurity professionals who wish to get involved with the military, there are many possible options. You can join the U.S. Army Cyber Command as a civilian and become a Cyber Warrior. The Navy also has a position titled Cyber Warfare Engineer. Finally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has been working since 2012 to create a “cyber reserve” of computer security experts who can be called into action to combat a massive cyber-attack.

We’d love to hear your story – whether you’re a veteran working in cybersecurity or an IT professional now in the military. Share it with us in the comments below!